Substance use and abuse is an important an complex issue on any college campus. Some students believe that alcohol consumption is a “rite of passage” during college and they may engage in dangerous drinking “binges.” About half of the students who do drink, also binge drink. College drinking is a problem because binge drinking and heavy drinking affects students, families and the college community.
- Alcohol impairs the ability to transfer information—learned prior to drinking—from short to long-term memory
- Attention span may be shortened within 48 hours of drinking
- Alcohol disrupts the necessary sleep cycle, including REM sleep
Jasa Cocke is Pomona's confidential drug and alcohol counselor. Her office is in Wig Hall A-108, and she can be reached at jasa.cocke@pomona.edu.